The iMERMAID project consortium successfully concluded its 5th General Assembly on June 17-18, a pivotal two-day event hosted by project partner the BioSense Institute in Novi Sad, Serbia. The meeting brought together 26 partners from across Europe and beyond to review progress, strategize future actions, and strengthen the collaborative framework essential to protecting the Mediterranean Sea from the threats of chemical contamination.
The first day was marked by intensive sessions focused on the project’s technological and strategic backbone. Partners presented crucial updates on the development of advanced sensors, refined the overall project roadmap, and outlined key strategies, which covers Exploitation, Innovation, and details on upcoming open calls. The day culminated in a dynamic brainstorming workshop, generating innovative ideas for policy engagement, the project’s educational schooling initiatives, and future capacity-building activities.
Building on this momentum, the second day shifted focus to the project’s practical applications, with in-depth updates and discussions surrounding iMERMAID’s five key use cases. These sessions were vital for aligning on the next steps needed to test, validate, and scale the project’s innovative solutions in real-world marine environments.
Beyond the formal sessions, the meeting underscored the consortium’s core strength: collaboration. A guided tour of the historic Petrovaradin Fortress and a networking dinner along the Danube River provided attendees with an invaluable opportunity to foster the strong interpersonal bonds that are crucial for the project’s long-term success.
The iMERMAID project now moves forward with a clear, unified vision for its next and final phase, equipped with refined strategies and a reinforced commitment to delivering impactful solutions against marine pollution.
